HALLUCINATIONS IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE - CHARACTERISTICS AND ASSOCIATED CLINICAL-FEATURES

This study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of hallucinations in patients with Parkinson's disease, describe such hallucinations and determine factors that discriminate patients who experience hallucinations from those who do not. Initially, 10 out of 43 (23.3%) patients completing a self-report screening questionnaire reported hallucinations. However, when 36 of these patients were interviewed, it was found that the self-report questionnaire had extremely low sensitivity (56.3%) since 16 (44.4%) patients now described hallucinatory experiences. These experiences were reported in all sensory modalities except for that of taste. The reality qualities of visual hallucinations were investigated and were found not to resemble everyday visual experiences or documented LSD-induced hallucinations or those of schizophrenia. Age, disability stage, self-reported sensory loss and cognitive decline were significantly greater in those experiencing hallucinations. Premorbid intelligence, daily levodopa intake and the use of other anti-Parkinsonian medications were not revealed as factors discriminating those with hallucinations from those without. Carer burden was related to severity of depression in the patient. After matching for age, depression did not differ significantly between groups.